Investing in Knowledge, Creating Opportunity

A specially commissioned report captures the scale of the University’s economic, social and cultural impact.

The independent report offers the first comprehensive review of the Universitys impact and provides the bedrock of evidence for the Universitys ambitions for the future.

It examines the remarkable contribution Leeds is making to the city region, the UK and on a global scale, revealing that the University is making a £1.3bn contribution to the UK economy.

At £588 million, the report places Leeds as the 8th largest university in the UK by income.

At a special event on Wednesday 18 November, the Vice-Chancellor showcased the report and its key findings, inviting civic leaders, business and industry to learn more about the University and to think about how new partnerships and alliances can be forged to promote regional growth and prosperity.

Showcasing the University

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor said:

"There is much the University wants to do and will do in the coming years. But there is one key ingredient that could help us all achieve so much more; you.

"Today is about helping to demystify what happens here and setting out the tangible impact that we can have on the Leeds City Region and beyond.

"We are increasing our visibility, so that we can combine our knowledge and expertise and create new opportunities for growth.

"And we would like to encourage you to think about how we can work better together - to increase our economic, social and cultural impact."

Award-winning business journalist and broadcaster Steph McGovern also hosted a panel discussion, which explored how well universities as a sector are contributing to the success of their regions, the wider economy and society.

The panel also debated the need to rebalance the national economy as leaders across the North develop their responses to the so called Northern Powerhouse.

Some facts you may already know about the University of Leeds and the city - and some that may surprise you.

Economic driver

The findings of the report highlight the Universitys role in helping the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership pursue its agenda to unlock the Leeds City Regions potential to become the growth engine for the North.

The University of Leeds contributes £1.3bn to the UK economy.

Other key findings include:

Every £1m of revenue generated by the University will produce a further economic impact of £1.31m in the UK, £0.97m of which will be in Yorkshire and Humber.

The University is Leeds 3rd largest employer, creating the equivalent of nearly 6,600 full time jobs. Taking into account supply chain and expenditure, it supports more than 14,000 jobs, the majority of them in Yorkshire and Humber.

For every 100 direct full-time equivalent jobs created by the University, an additional 117 jobs are generated in other industries, 92 of which in Yorkshire and Humber.

The University has created more than 100 spin-out companies, with a market capitalisation in excess of £500m. Seven of these spin-out companies are market listed on AIM, which is more than any other university in the UK.

This report brings to life the remarkable contribution Leeds is making and its importance as a catalyst and supporter of economic growth in the region.

Sir Alan Langlands, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds

Investing in Knowledge

The Universitys world-class research capabilities, aimed at tackling some of the greatest challenges facing our society and economy, are also showcased in the report.

Focused on real world priorities  health, water, food, energy, culture, cities and high value engineering - the research is having a direct impact on global society, acting as a major driver of economic growth, promoting health, quality of life and environmental sustainability.

The quality, volume and impact of world-leading research carried out at Leeds positions it within the top 10 for research power in the UK.

Most recently, it has also helped the University secure its place in the top 100 universities in the world in the QS World Rankings in 2015.

These results rightly recognise Leeds as one of the UK's top higher education institutions and among the world's most respected universities.

Sir Alan Langlands, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds

Creating opportunity

The report goes further than economic impact, to also draw on the Universitys social and cultural contribution, spanning a broad research agenda.

A new cultural institute hopes to boost the citys bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2023, as well as playing a key role in business innovation and skills development in the cultural and creative industries.

It will also provide a shop window for the wide array of cultural activity going on across the University and in partnership with the city, boosting public, staff and student engagement with the arts.

Other key initiatives highlighted include:

A £125m investment in integrating and growing engineering and physical sciences expertise, with a new Bragg Centre to provide cutting-edge technology in advanced functional materials, soft materials and nano-fabrication.

A £17m investment in the internationally renowned Astbury Centre for Structural Biology, enabling the University to compete with the best in the world, giving an unprecedented ability to glimpse the processes of life in atomic detail.

As the worlds climate change enters unchartered territory following announcements of global temperature rises, the University is launching a new climate change centre, a dedicated resource for policy-relevant climate research.

A new innovation and enterprise centre, a purpose-designed facility for companies and other research and innovation partners, providing high quality space for companies looking to accelerate their growth and development.

This innovation and enterprise centre will enable companies of all sizes to quickly tap into our research, the know-how of our staff, our state-of-the-art facilities, and our student and graduate talent.

Dr Ceri Williams, Director of Research and Innovation Development

An engaging community

With its 7,000 staff, and 31,000 students drawn from 146 countries, the report identifies the University of Leeds as a diverse and international community.

It illustrates the wider social impact of the University on the city region and the many initiatives aimed at making the Leeds City Region a better place to live, work and study.

The Universitys volunteering programme is one of the biggest in the country.

Each year, students undertake voluntary outreach and aspiration raising activity in the regions schools, equivalent to delivering 443 weeks of classroom support.

Students inject close to £200m of international revenue into the City Region each year.

The University collaborates with over 150 local charities to help them recruit volunteers.

Embracing opportunities to make a real difference to community

With these strong local roots, the report identifies a truly global community, with real international reach.

The University has 235,000 alumni worldwide, strong global advocates of the University, the city and region, and of the UK.

3,500 students volunteer through local, regional, national and international projects every year.

At least one in five Leeds students will go overseas as part of their studies to work or study abroad.

Education that attracts and excites high quality students from diverse backgrounds

Education and Skills

With the Universitys focus on developing first-rate graduates and high level skills, the report highlights the role of students preparing to be successful, ambitious and determined to make a difference in the global marketplace.

The University is one of the top 10 universities in the country targeted by the UKs top graduate employers.

Each year, around 750 students opt to undertake a year in industry and in 2014-2015, over 100 students provided three-month summer projects supporting the development and productivity of regional SMEs and charities.

48 start-up companies were launched by students last year, with the University's dedicated business incubator, now home to 37 emerging student enterprises.

Only last week, the University of Leeds won The Duke of York Award for University Entrepreneurship at the National Business Awards 2015.

Noted for the support it offers in encouraging and enabling student entrepreneurship, the award also recognised the role the University has played in supporting high growth small businesses in the region.

The University is also contributing to skills development beyond the UK's shores.

Announced in October, it joined with Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) to launch the SWJTU-Leeds Joint School, delivering world class education and research in engineering and computing to Leeds and China.

"This partnership will cultivate global talent and build strong connections between the UK, China and other parts of the world, addressing future skills requirements and opening up new research opportunities.

For this reason, the school will not only benefit Chinese and British students, providing them with a unique experience as they access an enhanced curriculum and study abroad, but also the business community and the wider economy in China and the UK."

The research that underpinned the report was undertaken by Viewforth Consultant Ltd.